Tasting: Trader Joe’s Chianti Italian wine
🌍 Introduction to Chianti
Chianti is one of Italy’s most famous red wines, made primarily from the Sangiovese grape (minimum 70% in a DOCG). Typical expressions include bright red fruits (cherry 🍒, raspberry 🍓, plum), herbal notes (thyme, oregano), earthy undertones, and often a subtle metallic or rustic edge.
Tuscany (Central Italy): Produces Chianti that tends to be medium-bodied, with high acidity and firm tannins, making it great for pairing with food (especially tomato-based dishes and cured meats 🍝🥖).
Compared to other Sangiovese regions: In Brunello di Montalcino, Sangiovese is richer, fuller, and more age-worthy, while in California, it can be fruitier and softer. Chianti is usually lighter, fresher, and sometimes rustic, often intended for everyday drinking.
For this tasting, Lynn and Scott blind-tasted 4 different Chianti wines from Trader Joe’s, all priced under $15.
🍷 Wine A (Wine 1) – Di Aquino Chianti DOCG (Basket Bottle)
Region/Location: Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹 (Veltura, Benevento bottling)
Year: NV (traditional basket-style “fiasco” bottle, 1.5L)
Price: $11.99 (≈ $7 per 750ml)
Store: Trader Joe’s
Scores:
Lynn: 12 – Would buy again, but only for home drinking (not for a party).
Scott: 9 – Would not buy again.
Combined Score: 21
Tasting Notes: Light ruby red, aromas of cherry 🍒 and licorice 🌿, but flavors dropped off quickly. Described as watery, single-layered, with faint stainless/metal notes. Easy drinking but lacked complexity.
🍷 Wine B (Wine 2) – Da Vinci Chianti 2023 DOCG
Region/Location: Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹 (Cantine Leonardo da Vinci, Vinci)
Year: 2023
Price: $11.99
Store: Trader Joe’s
Scores:
Lynn: 12 – Would buy again for home, not for parties.
Scott: 10 – Would not buy again.
Combined Score: 22
Tasting Notes: Darker ruby with earthy undertones. Aromas of raspberry and cherry, plus hints of leather 🐂. Palate had tannins and some acidity, but finished with a rusty/greasy character (“like an old aircraft or gearbox”). Strange finish, but slightly more layered than Wine 1.
🍷 Wine C (Wine 3) – Chianti Classico Riserva Fior Divino 2019 DOCG
Region/Location: Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹 (Importer: Fior Divino, bottler not specified)
Year: 2019 (Riserva)
Price: $7.99
Store: Trader Joe’s
Scores:
Lynn: 7 – Would not buy again.
Scott: 8 – Would not buy again.
Combined Score: 15
Tasting Notes: Deep garnet red, aromas of tart raspberry and metallic notes ⚙️. Flavor perceived as harsh, plasticky/vinyl-like, with limited fruit. Both tasters found it unpleasant, with zero buy-again potential. Suggested only as a spritzer base. 🚫
🍷 Wine D (Wine 4) – Gaetano D’Aquino Chianti Riserva 2021 DOCG
Region/Location: Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹 (Gaetano D’Aquino bottling)
Year: 2021
Price: $5.99 🤯
Store: Trader Joe’s
Scores:
Lynn: 16 – Would buy again and proudly take to a party 🎉.
Scott: 10 – Would not buy again.
Combined Score: 26 🏆
Tasting Notes: Dark ruby color, aromas of licorice, cherry, raspberry, and plum 🍒🍇. Flavor showed more depth and better balance than the other three. Finish was short, but palate was enjoyable and more harmonious. Best aroma of the night.
🏆 Winner of the Night: Wine D – Gaetano D’Aquino Chianti Riserva 2021
At just $5.99, this budget Chianti beat out all others with the highest combined score of 26. Lynn especially praised it as party-worthy, while Scott still held back. The wine’s licorice-cherry aromas, balanced flavors, and unbeatable price made it the clear winner.
